Bunny on a Budgethttp://bunnyonabudget.co.uk
A Budgeting Blog for UK MumsTue, 30 Jan 2018 17:27:43 +0000en-UShourly1BunnyOnABudgethttps://feedburner.google.comIs The Nintendo Switch Good For Young Kids?http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/is-the-nintendo-switch-good-for-young-kids/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/is-the-nintendo-switch-good-for-young-kids/#respondTue, 30 Jan 2018 17:21:46 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=550Recently, my husband and I bought our two boys a Nintendo Switch*. Personally, I didn’t know much about them, I wasn’t sure exactly how it worked or whether it would be easy for our boys to use as they are only 7 and 8 years old. However, my husband did all of the research and [...]

]]>Recently, my husband and I bought our two boys a Nintendo Switch*. Personally, I didn’t know much about them, I wasn’t sure exactly how it worked or whether it would be easy for our boys to use as they are only 7 and 8 years old.

However, my husband did all of the research and felt that it would be a great gift. I on the other hand was still a bit confused as to why it was so different from the game consoles that they already had, but figured that I’d just go along with it.

We’ve had it for only a few days, so it’s still very early in our Nintendo Switch experience, but I thought that it would be a good idea to write a short Nintendo Switch review about how the console works and how my young boys have got on with it, in case there are any parents out there who are considering buying one but still aren’t too sure.

How Does the Nintendo Switch Work?

The biggest difference between the Nintendo Switch* and other game consoles is the amount of options you have on how you want to use it.

Playing it Through the T.V

For instance, it firstly comes with a docking station which allows it to be used through the T.V just like a Playstation or Xbox.

It comes with two remotes (or Joy-Cons) that can be used separately for 2 player or co-op games by attaching the Joy-Con controller straps to them. This allows you to play games in the two player mode. A great detail that I love about the Joy-Cons is that they come in two different colours, so if you have two kids like me they can decide who has which colour. As one of my boys is a Manchester United fan and the other is a Chelsea fan, it was pretty easy deciding who has the red and who gets the blue controller.

If they are wanting to play in the one player mode then this is easily done by sliding the two Joy-Con controllers into the Joy-Con grip which has the appearance of a standard games console controller. The Joy-Con grip comes with the Switch so you don’t have to buy it on top. They can also use the two Joy-Cons separately in one player mode – one in each hand – if that suits the gameplay better.

I was concerned that our boys would find setting up the controllers for different uses quite difficult, but they didn’t at all. However, we are checking that they are doing it correctly as it would be gutting to get one of them stuck, but depending on the ages of your children they should pick this up pretty quickly. Although, I would definitely recommend doing it yourself for any younger children as they are quite expensive to replace. At the time of writing they would cost around £69.99 for a pair on Amazon*. Obviously you know your children best so you are the best person to decide if they can change the accessories on the Joy-Con controllers themselves or not.

Using it as a Mobile Device

The Nintendo Switch can also be used as a mobile device, similar to a tablet. To do this all you have to do is remove it from the docking station.

If just one person is wanting to play on it then the Joy-Con controllers can be attached to the side of the screen and used in that way. Even though it is quite a lot bigger in the hand held mode than they are used to, they found it really easy and the big screen makes it really enjoyable for them to play.

They can still use it in the two player mode like on the T.V when it is out of the docking station by removing the Joy-Con controllers and by propping up the switch screen using the prop stand on the back. We have found this to be quite flimsy, however, so we’re going to buy a more sturdy prop* so that they can set it up at the table or any flat surface without worrying about it falling.

This mode is also great because unlike the Playstation or Xbox, they can enjoy a bit of time playing on their games without either taking over the living room, or having to go into a separate room. You can still be in each others company minus the annoying noise!

It is worth noting, however, that after doing some research we found out that the screen can be easily scratched when taking it in and out of the docking station, so we ordered a pack of 2 screen protectors* when we bought the Nintendo Switch so that we weren’t going to be too worried about it getting scratched.

Using the Switch Out and About

You can also take the Nintendo Switch out and about. For instance, if you are going on a long car journey this could be a great way to keep the kids entertained. You can buy a travel bag for all of the accessories* to be carried about without it getting broken. And by using the prop, it can be a great way for them to not argue about whose turn it is.

Are There Many Kids Games For the Switch?

Even though the Nintendo Switch is a relatively new console, there are quite a few games available to choose from already. As we don’t like our boys playing games that are dark and violent we think that it has a good variety of games to choose from for a whole range of children. We bought Mario Odyssey* which they absolutely love! And also Mario Kart Deluxe 8* which is great fun. Another game that we would like to try is Monopoly* as all ages can enjoy it.

Is it Any Good for Younger Kids?

After having the Nintendo Switch for about a week now I can honestly say that both my 7 and 8 year old absolutely love it! They have so many options of how to play it, it’s colours and designs make it really attractive, and to be honest it’s pretty amazing how something so small can do so much.

They have also learnt how to use the controllers and the different settings really quickly and are being very careful with it, so we definitely don’t feel that they are too young to have one. Instead it just seems like they are going to get years of enjoyment from it.

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/is-the-nintendo-switch-good-for-young-kids/feed/0Should You Buy a Metal or Plastic Kettle?http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/should-you-buy-a-metal-or-plastic-kettle/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/should-you-buy-a-metal-or-plastic-kettle/#respondMon, 27 Nov 2017 15:01:43 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=547Buying a new kettle should be one of the simplest tasks you can do. However, there are so many different options to choose from when shopping for a kettle nowadays, such as deciding between an electrical or a stove top kettle or choosing between a modern, retro or heritage look. However, I think that the [...]

]]>Buying a new kettle should be one of the simplest tasks you can do. However, there are so many different options to choose from when shopping for a kettle nowadays, such as deciding between an electrical or a stove top kettle or choosing between a modern, retro or heritage look. However, I think that the hardest choice to make is whether to buy a metal kettle or a plastic kettle.

The reason I say this is because it is pretty straightforward to pick between an electrical or stove top kettle as it depends on whether you have the time and patience to wait for the stove top kettle to boil. Also, to choose between modern, retro or heritage looks totally depends on your style in the kitchen.

However, choosing between a metal and plastic kettle can be a bit trickier. For example, a lot of the thoughts and opinions on metal and plastic kettles vary. These thoughts can be some of the following:

You often get more choices with metal kettles.

Plastic kettles appear to be of a lower quality.

Metal kettles are more expensive so should be better kettles.

Plastic kettles are cheaper but not as stylish.

But are these thoughts and opinions true?

My personal experience

Well, I recently went through the process of shopping for a new kettle. My last two kettles have been metal kettles from the Russel Hobbs Legacy range* that cost around £49.99 at the time and I absolutely loved them! They looked really good in the kitchen and worked amazingly. However, I ended up giving the first one away after having it for about 5 years as it had gotten all scratched and rusty and was looking a bit worse for wear. Like I said, I really loved the kettle though, and I put the scratches down to the fact that I hadn’t packaged it up very well when we moved house. So, I wanted to buy the exact same kettle again, but this one wouldn’t get bumped around in the back of a removal van.

Unfortunately, even though we haven’t moved house since buying the second metal kettle this one also started to look a bit scruffy after only a year. The cream paint layer over the top had started to bubble, and if you accidentally knocked it, the bubble would burst and the paint would start to peel. Also, the rim around the top of the kettle had been knocked a couple of times when filling it with water and so it had started to scratch and rust from that area too.

Now, the problems that I have found with metal kettles might not be something that everyone will experience. This is because both me and my husband work from home a few days during the week, so it may just be that our kettles get more than the average use (due to our constant cups of tea and coffee) and so start to show signs of premature wear and tear. Also, we have to keep in mind that I have only used metal kettles with a coloured finish over the top, so I can’t say how a plain stainless steel kettle* would fair.

After putting up with the bumps and scratches for a while I finally decided that it was time to try something new. A plastic kettle! I had always thought of plastic kettles as being a bit on the cheap and boring side. However, there are more and more brilliant plastic kettles coming to the market. Instead of them just being your budget kettle that costs under £10 there is now a huge variety of styles, colours and prices that means that pretty much everyone can find one to suit their needs and styles.

I decided to buy the Breville Impressions kettle* in cream for under £30 and I absolutely love it. It is lighter than the metal kettle, but it works just as well, and it definitely doesn’t feel that I’ve compromised on the quality of the kettle by choosing a plastic one. Best of all though, it is still immaculate after a few months of constant use!

The Verdict

So, I think that what you need to bear in mind when buying your next kettle is that every kettle is different, you can choose a top end kettle for over £100 or you can pick a budget kettle* for just £10. But don’t feel put off buying a plastic kettle if you’re worried about the quality or style. From my own experience I can tell you that I am over the moon with my new plastic kettle.

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/should-you-buy-a-metal-or-plastic-kettle/feed/0The Big Black Friday Deals Roundup Post!http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/the-big-black-friday-deals-roundup-post/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/the-big-black-friday-deals-roundup-post/#respondFri, 24 Nov 2017 12:57:21 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=543Black Friday seems to have been about a week long this year, but that doesn’t mean that retailers haven’t saved the best deals for the actual occasion! With this in mind, here’s our pick of some of the best deals this Black Friday for you to enjoy. Once you’ve grabbed what you want, be sure [...]

]]>Black Friday seems to have been about a week long this year, but that doesn’t mean that retailers haven’t saved the best deals for the actual occasion! With this in mind, here’s our pick of some of the best deals this Black Friday for you to enjoy.

Once you’ve grabbed what you want, be sure to share this list with your friends so they can bag a great deal too!

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/the-big-black-friday-deals-roundup-post/feed/0How to Choose the Best Dog Food on a Budgethttp://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/how-to-choose-the-best-dog-food-on-a-budget/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/how-to-choose-the-best-dog-food-on-a-budget/#respondMon, 30 Oct 2017 23:59:02 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=539With around 8.5 million pet dogs in the UK, it’s pretty safe to say that we are a nation of dog lovers. However, owning a dog does bring with it a lot of responsibility, and one of the most important decisions that we are responsible for is choosing what to feed our four legged friends. [...]

]]>With around 8.5 million pet dogs in the UK, it’s pretty safe to say that we are a nation of dog lovers. However, owning a dog does bring with it a lot of responsibility, and one of the most important decisions that we are responsible for is choosing what to feed our four legged friends.

A recent tv advert from Pets at Home* has brought to light the fact that a lot of the dog food that’s out there is actually not as good for our pets as we’d expect. So, this got me wondering, how do we know if the food we are feeding our dogs is good and also how exactly is our dogs health (and also our bank balance) affected by the food we choose to feed them?

Check the Ingredients

The best way for you to know exactly what it is that you’re feeding your dog is by understanding the list of ingredients on the back of the packaging. Here are a few tips on how to understand the ingredients list.

The first ingredient that’s listed is the main ingredient that they use in the food, so taking note of what comes first on the list will help you to decide if that particular brand of food is right for your dog.

Animal derivatives and unnamed meat is as uninformative as it sounds. As they don’t name a specific meat or protein, these ingredients can come from any part of an animal carcass, including the organs, and they can also contain a variety of different proteins, so you can never be sure which proteins you are actually feeding you dog!

Unnamed derivatives from vegetables can be a number of things such as cereals, vegetables, oil-seed and legumes. However, it is hard to know whether these are of a high or low quality.

Thenamed % of poultry/fish lets you know how much of the total meal is actually your chosen dish. For example, if you choose chicken as your meat of choice, then this will let you know how much chicken is actually in the food, whether it’s 20% or 4%

It is worth noting here that we are looking at dry food, not wet food in this article.

How Much Can You Afford to Spend?

So, now that we have more of an idea of what we’re actually looking at when we read the ingredients, we can make a more informed decision as to what we want to feed our beloved dogs. But we would be kidding ourselves if we thought that the decision is really that easy. No, there are a few more factors that we would have to consider such as the price. We obviously want to give our dogs the best food that we possibly can, but how much can we really afford to spend on dog food?

Prices can vary quite drastically, for instance, you can pick up a 2kg bag of dry dog food* for as little as £3.00 or as much as £15.00 depending on where you are shopping and what brand of dog food you choose to buy. So, taking the time to do a bit of research will be well worth your time and effort, to make sure that you are happy not only with the quality of the food that you are giving your dog but also that you are happy with the effect that it will have on your bank balance.

The Real Long-term Cost

When considering the quality of the food vs the cost, it is also good to remember that choosing the cheapest option might not actually work out to be a financially smart move overall. This is because in the same way that our own diet has a profound effect on our own health, a diet lacking the necessary nutrients that your dog needs will also affect their health. Which could possibly mean that you will have a few vet bills to pay that could have been avoided if you’d have spent a little more on buying the right dog food.

I really hope that our tips on how to understand the dog food ingredients list and also what you need to consider before choosing your dog food has made, what could be a very confusing decision, just a little bit easier. If it has then please do share this post with your friends.

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/how-to-choose-the-best-dog-food-on-a-budget/feed/0Keter Store It Out Max Reviewhttp://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/keter-store-it-out-max-review/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/keter-store-it-out-max-review/#respondSun, 17 Sep 2017 22:39:59 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=537Finding storage that ticks all of the boxes yet is still affordable can be quite a challenge, and it doesn’t matter if you need some to organise the kids bedrooms, de-clutter the hallway, or, hide away the ugly necessities in the garden. The hunt for the perfect storage solutions can be a nightmare. Recently, this [...]

]]>Finding storage that ticks all of the boxes yet is still affordable can be quite a challenge, and it doesn’t matter if you need some to organise the kids bedrooms, de-clutter the hallway, or, hide away the ugly necessities in the garden. The hunt for the perfect storage solutions can be a nightmare.

Recently, this was the dilemma that me and my husband found ourselves in. We needed a bit more outdoor storage that would tidy up the back yard. Our biggest problem was that because we live in an old Victorian terraced house, we don’t really have an abundance of space outside, so we needed some outdoor storage that would tidy things up a bit but would also not take up more space than necessary.

Our two main reasons for needing some outdoor storage were firstly to have a secure and weather proof place for our boys bikes to be locked up safely, and secondly we desperately wanted to hide away our wheelie bins. Not having a big garden where you can tuck the bins discreetly down the side of the garage meant that the big ugly bins were always there just staring at us, and I hated it!

After a lot of research we decided to buy two ‘Keter Store It Out Max*’ storage boxes. They are designed to be used as either a small shed or a bin store, so we felt that they had the perfect features and dimensions (for our small outdoor space) that we needed. There are plenty of places online that you can buy Keter outdoor storage boxes from with Amazon* and eBay* being the obvious choices. When we were shopping around, however, we found that Argos* had them on special offer for £99.99 each, which was the cheapest place to buy them from at the time.

Collection

When it came to collecting them, we thought it would be best to check the measurements of the boxes online to see whether we would need them to be delivered to our house or whether we could pick them up ourselves. As it turned out, we didn’t need to pay any extra money for delivery because we have a 7 seater Vauxhall Zafira car, so we just needed to take the children’s car seats out and put all of the seats down. If you don’t have enough space in the back of your car, you could always tie it securely to a roof-rack. This is an easy way to save a few pennies. Plus, you don’t have to wait around at home for the delivery man to turn up, which is always a bonus when you’re a busy mum.

Building Them

I’m sure we’ve all felt that pang of worry when you’ve bought something that you need to assemble yourself. Knowing the nightmare that comes when there are 1000’s of bits and pieces combined with the world’s hardest instructions to read. To my relief however, the Keter Store It Out Max* units were really easy to put together and the instructions were super easy to follow. I wouldn’t really recommend that you attempt to put it together on your own, as some steps ion the process are much easier with two people on the job. Working together, my husband and I managed to put both of the Keter storage boxes up and in place within a couple of hours.

The Results

Well, we’ve had the Keter outdoor storage units for a couple of months now and I can honestly say that they are worth every penny. We have one unit full of the boys bikes (junior bikes), and other bits. We bought a decent padlock to keep them secure, and it works brilliantly. Be sure to buy the right size padlock*, though, as we ended up buying 2 as the first one didn’t fit.

The Keter Store it Out Max definitely does the job we bought it for. We haven’t been through winter yet, but judging from how they have coped with some horrendous downpours we’ve had so far, I think that they will be fine.

We use the other unit as a bin store for our two wheelie bins. The design of the unit is great, because of some clever chains hooks, when we lift the lid of the storage unit, the lids of the wheelie bins lift up with it, which makes putting out the rubbish and the recycling a doddle! It’s also super easy to get the bins out of the unit on bin day, as the doors at the front unlock and open really easily. It really is a hassle free way to store the ugly wheelie bins, so I love it!

Would I recommend a Keter Store It Out Max Box?

Well, as you can probably tell, I am over the moon with how the Keter Store It Out Max* units work and also how they look. They aren’t too big so they don’t take up any unnecessary space and they really do function well. Plus, our back yard looks very neat and tidy, which is great! So, yes, I would recommend the Keter Store It Out Max unit if you need a practical and stress free solution to tidy up your outdoor space.

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/keter-store-it-out-max-review/feed/0Manicure Treatments on a Budgethttp://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/manicure-treatments-on-a-budget/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/manicure-treatments-on-a-budget/#commentsSun, 30 Jul 2017 11:32:39 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=502A big trend that seems to be sticking around for good now is for a lot of us women to be giving a bit more care and attention to our nails. It seems to me that the go-to pamper treatment these days is a manicure, so much so that I’ve even heard of women choosing [...]

]]>A big trend that seems to be sticking around for good now is for a lot of us women to be giving a bit more care and attention to our nails. It seems to me that the go-to pamper treatment these days is a manicure, so much so that I’ve even heard of women choosing to eat nothing but beans on toast for a week just so that they can keep their appointment at the nail salon!

So, now that getting your nails done is as much of a basic pamper treatment as getting your hair cut for a lot of women, the questions that I keep asking myself are “How much do these manicures cost and how can I enjoy the lovely feeling of having pampered nails without spending a fortune?” First we’ll look at how much you can expect to pay for the various options on offer if you get your nails done in a salon, then we’ll discuss some ways that you could cut the cost of getting your nails done significantly.

What types of manicures are there and how much do they cost in a salon?

OK, so there are usually 3 different types of manicures that women will choose from when visiting a salon, these being; Acrylic, Gel and Shellac.

Acrylic Nails have been around for a very long time, they are well known for being hard wearing, although this does make them less eco friendly. They are usually applied to your nail with an added tip extension so that you can choose the length of your nails. The product is a mix of both powder and liquid. Some people like to keep the acrylic nails clear so that they have the french manicure look, or once they have dried you can then apply some nail polish*.

This is the most expensive option with the average cost for an acrylic manicure being around £30-£40. They should last between 3-5 weeks before you need a re-fill which is around £30.

Gel Manicures are a bit different from acrylic, instead of a powder and liquid mix, it is pretty self explanatory that it is a gel formula that is applied to your natural nail bed which is then cured under a UV lamp*. They aren’t as hard wearing as acrylic nails, but they do have a more natural and glossy look. They come in polish type colours, but you can still add your own style in artwork too. A few people prefer to have a gel manicure because there isn’t the same chemical smell that you get from the acrylic nails.

The average cost for a Gel manicure is around £25-£35 which will then last you between 2-3 weeks, so they do need redoing earlier than the acrylics if you were wanting to keep them on as a permanent fixture.

You may have also heard about the new Shellac Polish that you can have. This is the name of a product created by CND which is a blend of gel and nail polish. It is applied to your natural nail bed and cured under a UV lamp. This treatment looks and feels just like a super nail polish. You can add some glitter or different designs to be creative and it will usually last you about 2-3 weeks.

The average cost for a Shellac manicure is about £20 so it is the cheapest of the three options.

So, if you are thinking of treating yourself to a trip to the nail salon, you will hopefully have more of an idea about what type of manicure you would like. However, as a mum of two I am fully aware that a trip to the nail salon may just be that bit too expensive, especially if you worry that once you have had your nails done you won’t want to go back to having boring nails again!

D.I.Y Manicure Kits

If this is the case then why not look into buying your own kit to do your nails at home? As treatments all consist of different things the kits will also vary in price. For instance, you can pick up an acrylic manicure starter kit* on ebay for about £60. You may find that this is the trickiest of the treatments to do yourself so you might want to research how to do it on YouTube and maybe rope a friend in to help.

If you like the idea of having a gel manicure then a starter kit would set you back about £25*. Obviously there are lots of different brands to choose from so both quality and price will vary, so it may be a good idea to do a bit of research first to find a brand that you like the sound of. Again, you may also want to watch a few videos on YouTube to help you along but it is a simpler procedure than the acrylic manicure.

If you fancy trying out a Shellac kit at home, then you may find it cheaper to choose another brand as the CND Shellac kits* start from around £125. There are other brands that use a similar formula however that start from about £35*.

Now obviously buying a kit does cost more than a singular manicure, so this only works out as a cheaper option if you know that you will use it regularly. Maybe you can arrange a regular pamper night with some of your friends where you do each others nails and enjoy some wine and chocolate too (which isn’t usually allowed in a nail salon!)?

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/manicure-treatments-on-a-budget/feed/1Which is Better Lidl or Aldi?http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/which-is-better-lidl-or-aldi/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/which-is-better-lidl-or-aldi/#commentsTue, 25 Jul 2017 11:51:12 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=243Recently there has been an increase in the popularity of the discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl, with the upmarket supermarket Waitrose being leapfrogged by Aldi to become Britain’s 6th largest supermarket. So this clearly shows that the way we now shop for food in the UK is changing, we seem to really be [...]

]]>Recently there has been an increase in the popularity of the discount supermarkets such as Aldi and Lidl, with the upmarket supermarket Waitrose being leapfrogged by Aldi to become Britain’s 6th largest supermarket. So this clearly shows that the way we now shop for food in the UK is changing, we seem to really be embracing the discount stores.

I can honestly say that I am amongst that group of Britains that have swapped the mainstream supermarkets for the discount stores. I’m not saying that I will never step foot inside Sainsbury’s again, but I highly doubt that I will do a big shop there. This is because just this month we have had a new Lidl store open in our town. It has been conveniently placed very close to Aldi (coincidence I think not), which now means that I can happily split my weekly food shop between the two stores, hunting for the best bargains available.

Having said that, I know that it will be nearly impossible to be totally fair and buy exactly half of what I need in each store. I think that there is inevitably going to be a favorite shop that I do most of my shopping in, and then I will pick up the odd bits from the other. But which one will I spend the majority of my money in?

What I like about Aldi

I have been shopping at my local Aldi for about 8 years now and personally I think that it just keeps getting better!

The products that Aldi sells are usually a great hit in our house. The boys love their yummy biscuits, cakes and sweets, and I love their prices! I am always pleasantly surprised at the prices in this shop. You can pick up the majority of items that are on your shopping list for a fraction of the cost in Aldi compared to other shops like Sainsbury’s.

I always like to check out what ‘Special Buys’ they have on offer each week. There always seems to be something that catches my eye, whether it is something for the house or the boys, the prices and products are always great. For instance, some of my best tea towels are from Aldi, they have a wonderful woodland theme to them and they cost just £2.49 for 3! Now comparing that to Sainsbury’s price of £6 for 3, you can see why I think that it is such a good deal. The boys are always finding things that they like in Aldi too. Whether it is some new books or stationary sets, cosy character pajamas or a toy, Aldi always seems to have a great bargain on offer.

I also really like some of their cleaning products. I’ll admit that I haven’t tried them all but so far I really like their Ultra kitchen roll, it is by far the best kitchen roll that I have bought. I know that this seems like a really silly thing to rate but I use a lot of kitchen roll, and I hate nothing more than thin useless sheets that last 2 seconds. Aldi’s Ultra kitchen roll however is far better than any of the main brands that I have used. It costs 95p for 2 rolls and they last a long time.

I also like their antibacterial floor wipes. I use these on both my kitchen and bathroom floors and they are great. The sheets are large and strong and the apple scent is lovely. They leave your room sparkling and smelling gorgeous!

So overall I think that it is a great store, but what about Lidl?

What I like about Lidl

I won’t lie to you, I do like shopping in a brand spanking new shop! Everything is so perfect and clean and new (I especially notice this when I use the trolleys as they drive so smoothly) that it does make the experience very nice.

The first thing that hits you when you walk into the store is the amazing smell of the bakery, everything that I have tasted so far is delicious, from blueberry muffins, doughnuts and cinnamon rolls to warm tiger loafs.

The store itself isn’t massive, well not in comparison to my local Asda and Sainsbury’s, but it feels very spacious. The aisles are wide and the products are easily accessible. So moving around the store is pretty much a stress free experience.

There is a variety of products that Lidl sell. Some items are brands that we know and trust, others I assume are German brands. So far I have been happy with the new brands, but I must admit that I haven’t got round to trying out loads of these products. I think that I am too drawn in by the brands that I already know. My aim is to try out all of their products so that I know exactly what we like and don’t like, and hopefully find a few real gems in the process!

Their prices are good, but not quite as good as Aldi. This can be forgiven though when I am able to buy products like Heinz, Weetabix, Nestle, Walkers and so on at a much cheaper price than the mainstream supermarkets.

They also do some really good limited time offers. At the moment they have Men’s and Women’s hiking gear, DIY tools and children’s waterproof clothing.

Which is better?

Now, as much as I love Aldi, I don’t like to buy my meat from there. I’ll admit that it has been a while since I last tried their meat, but this is because our previous experience was that we didn’t feel that items like their chicken and bacon tasted very nice, so we continued to buy those from Sainsbury’s.

In comparison, last week we tried Lidl chicken for the first time and we were all really shocked at how nice it was. So maybe this will be one of the areas where I decide to shop at Lidl over Aldi?

Aldi’s fruit and veg are very cheap, but I do sometimes think that they are bordering on the over ripe. Because of this I do try and be selective with the fruit and veg that I buy from Aldi.

So far, Lidl’s fresh produce has been really nice. I think that their plum tomatoes and grapefruits have been the biggest hits with our boys. So again this might be another area where I choose Lidl over Aldi.

After looking at the pros and cons to both shops, I think that my shop will actually be pretty much equally split between both Aldi and Lidl. There are certain products such as meat and branded items that I think are worth spending that little bit more on, so for this I will go to Lidl. But I do feel that a lot of Aldi’s products are really good and the prices are great so I won’t be completely swapping over to Lidl purely out of convenience, no, I think that Aldi still has a lot to offer. I just need to pick my favourite products from each shop. Which is easy as they are just across the road from each other. Perfect!

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/which-is-better-lidl-or-aldi/feed/10Tips to help your kids to decorate their bedroomhttp://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/tips-to-help-your-kids-to-decorate-their-bedroom/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/tips-to-help-your-kids-to-decorate-their-bedroom/#commentsFri, 21 Jul 2017 15:37:33 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=514Whether you’re moving into a new property or you just want to give your home a lick of paint, renovations can be exciting, allowing you to transform your home into whatever you want it to be. Below, we’ve put together some top tips for helping your kids decorate their bedrooms. Give them a budget If [...]

]]>Whether you’re moving into a new property or you just want to give your home a lick of paint, renovations can be exciting, allowing you to transform your home into whatever you want it to be. Below, we’ve put together some top tips for helping your kids decorate their bedrooms.

Give them a budget

If you know that you don’t want to spend more than £300 on your child’s bedroom makeover, make it clear and let them budget for their own renovations. Treating your project as a money-saving exercise can not only make it more enjoyable, but it allows your children to understand the value of money, and make sensible decisions when buying materials and accessories.

Use the internet

Log on to an interior design website or use Google Images to get inspiration for your child’s bedroom design. You can then download your favourite wallpapers, images and furnishings, and put them all together in a mood board. Shopify has put together a guide to the best mood board apps for iPads, meaning that you won’t have to print out hundreds of images to get to the final result.

Save time for the important things

As much fun as designing a new bedroom is, it’s important to think about the essentials of their new bedroom. Will they require new wardrobes, extra power slots, folding doors or even new windows? Make a list of everything that you want to include in your child’s new bedroom, and calculate the cost so that you can budget accordingly. A new carpet might sound affordable, for example, but can quickly add hundreds of pounds to your project and mean that you have to cut back on expensive furnishings or wallpaper. Budgeting is key if you want to finish their room without breaking the bank.

Personalise

One of the simplest and most effective methods of renovation is by personalising your space – and, in the case of children’s bedrooms, giving them the chance to express themselves. Print photographs of their friends and family onto canvases to hang onto walls, buy cheap photo frames that you can stack on windowsills and bedside cabinets, or even consider using string and pegs and printing off your children’s favourite snaps to hang on a wall elegantly. Pinterest is great for bedroom inspiration – check out their photo wall page for more ideas of personalising your room.

Let them help out

If you’ve got a spare weekend and want to transform their bedroom on a budget, then do some DIY and let the children get involved, too. Buy the appropriate protector masks, and let children help with painting and decorating. Remember that they should be supervised at all times and that you should not let them use any dangerous or expensive equipment. Giving your children control over their room will make them feel motivated, and make the job much quicker for everyone involved.

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/tips-to-help-your-kids-to-decorate-their-bedroom/feed/1How much do you usually spend on a bottle of wine?http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/how-much-do-you-usually-spend-on-a-bottle-of-wine/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/how-much-do-you-usually-spend-on-a-bottle-of-wine/#commentsWed, 19 Jul 2017 09:36:35 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=511I know this might sound a bit boring, but I have to confess that – although I do like the occasional glass of wine – I’m not really that big a drinker. This means that when I do tend to buy a bottle of wine, I don’t really buy the cheapest bottle on offer, as [...]

]]>I know this might sound a bit boring, but I have to confess that – although I do like the occasional glass of wine – I’m not really that big a drinker. This means that when I do tend to buy a bottle of wine, I don’t really buy the cheapest bottle on offer, as I kind of feel like I deserve to enjoy a good bottle on the times when I do buy one. Still, I don’t go wild either. I’m quite content to buy a nice bottle of Blossom hill or something like that. On average, I’d say I tend not to go over the £6 mark for a bottle but if I see a really good discount on an expensive bottle, then I don’t mind paying that bit more just to see if it would have been worth the full asking price or not.

How much do you need to spend?

This got me to thinking, how much do the majority of people spend on a bottle of wine on average, and where do they get it? As I say, Blossom Hill is usually the brand I’d go for and you can pick it up anywhere really. I know that a lot of my friends, however, are very complimentary of some of the cheaper wines you can find at Aldi or Lidl and they say that you can get some nice stuff for around £3.50 to £4 a bottle. Of course, I then have some other friends who wouldn’t be seen dead buying Aldi or Lidl’s own brand wines and would prefer to spend a little time hunting around to find deals on more upmarket brands such as Marks and Spencer wine offers or perhaps even head off to Waitrose. I know some of my friends really wouldn’t think twice before spending £10 or even £20 on a bottle of wine and that does seem like quite a lot of money to me, especially if you’re buying it regularly. But then I might well feel differently if money wasn’t really an issue. Personally, I don’t mind what brand of wine I buy as long as it tastes nice and it doesn’t give me a whacking great headache in the morning!

What would you recommend?

So, now that you know how much I like to spend on a bottle of wine, perhaps you can recommend a few good bottles that I ought to be trying? Have you found a great budget bottle in Aldi or Lidl recently or on the other side of the coin, did you splash out and try a more expensive bottle that you thought was really worth the money? If you like red wines with quite a deep flavour, then I’d really recommend trying the French Malbec from Aldi which I think is priced at around £4.50, as I’ve found that to be a real bargain. Or, if you don’t mind spending a little bit more then there’s a red wine at Sainsbury’s that we really like called Roc De Chevalier which you can usually pick up for around £6 if it’s on offer. What about you though, what would you recommend?

]]>http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/how-much-do-you-usually-spend-on-a-bottle-of-wine/feed/1Fun Ways to Make Extra Cashhttp://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/fun-ways-to-make-extra-cash/
http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/fun-ways-to-make-extra-cash/#commentsFri, 07 Jul 2017 19:01:20 +0000http://bunnyonabudget.co.uk/?p=504Sometimes we just need a bit of extra cash to help pay the bills, get out of debt, or to save up for an upcoming holiday. Taking on a second job could help, but if the job market is too tight it could take you longer than you desire to obtain that second job. Some [...]

]]>Sometimes we just need a bit of extra cash to help pay the bills, get out of debt, or to save up for an upcoming holiday. Taking on a second job could help, but if the job market is too tight it could take you longer than you desire to obtain that second job. Some folks don’t even land the second job! It’s a lot easier to take a look around and see how you can make that extra cash in your spare time at home.

Massage the Blues Away

If you have massage skills then running a small massage business is a straightforward way to make some extra cash. All you need is a massage table and other spa equipment to make it happen. Also helpful is a can-do attitude to earn what you need and provide a much-needed service. Massage will always be needed, it’s a treatment lots of people simply can’t live without! Do be sure to get the proper licensing so that you can run your business without any hassle.

Sell Your Hobby

Everyone has that one hobby that they adore and work with a lot. It could be knitting, crocheting, painting, or woodworking. People love handmade art and goods. So, if you have lots of items sitting around, why not sell it on the side? As long as you markup the price to cover your cost of supplies and your time, selling your hobby is a fantastic way to find some extra cash. It doesn’t even require any extra time. Consider doing custom work as well, so that people can really feel like they have an original piece of art made exclusively by you.

Declutter and Sell It

If you have a ton of stuff in your home that you really don’t use, it’s time to have a serious talk with yourself. There is probably quite a bit you could sell online on eBay and make some extra cash. Remember, what is one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. You may not be using it but someone else will! If you don’t want to pay eBay’s seller’s fees, try looking for free marketplaces. Facebook is a fantastic way to either sell on your wall or join groups for your area where you can sell your items. Maximize your money by saving on those fees!

Take on a Lodger

If you have a spare room, or a second home, finding folks to rent your space is easy! Websites like Airbnb and SpareRoom are wonderful ways to offer your room/home to someone who is on holiday or just needs a short term stay in your area. The most you will have to pay for this investment is a fee to the website for every lodger you find!

Fix It Up

If you are knowledgeable in fixing appliances, pipes, or can even paint a room decently, taking on some odd jobs in your neighbourhood is a simple way to make some extra cash. Your neighbours will need some painting help, someone to mow, an affordable plumber, and someone who can hang shelves. You have the skills, so why not charge them a fee for your time?

There are so many ways to increase your household income, it just takes a little ingenuity to do it on your terms and enjoy it. Before you know it, you will meet those financial goals and feel better!